UlsterNet.co.uk

Contents

News

Firefighter attacked after attending Dunclug blaze

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Group Fire and Rescue Service commander, Max Joyce, said crews have come under attack in Ballymena in recent weeks. GB15947 p3

A FIREFIGHTER fled from the Dunclug housing estate in Ballymena, after coming under attack early on Sunday morning, April 9.The man, who was part of a team which saved a person from a burning flat in Dunclug Park, had bottles and bricks thrown at him.“He was shocked and very, very quickly realised the severity of the attack upon him," said group commander Max Joyce.“He got into his car and got away from there."The fire was reported shortly after 4am and is being treated as deliberate.Substantial damage was caused to the flat, but there were no reports of any injures as a result of the fire.Mr Joyce said this is one of a series of attacks on firefighters in the Ballymena area in recent weeks, including an incident when burning tyres were set on fire in the Wakehurst area.“It is unacceptable that our firefighters who are dedicated to the community of Ballymena and who sometimes put their lives on the line for the people of Ballymena should come under attack," he said.“Last evening it was youths but over the past few weeks we've been attacked in other areas of Ballymena, some of those involved have been as young as ten-years-old."A PSNI spokesepson said inquiries are ongoing and police would ask anyone with any information to contact them in Ballymena on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. *Read the full story in this week's Ballymena Guardian.